by Hortense Foster

Created on: December 16, 2011   Last Updated: March 19, 2012

Holley was thinking about the events of the day, as she snuggled in her comfortable chair in front of the fireplace.  The red orange glow of the fire gave her a sense of peace and comfort.  This is not where she wanted to be for Christmas, all her friends were in the city.

She enjoyed visiting her Grandfather years ago, when she was a young girl.  Holley had moved to the city with her parents when she was ten, and the visits became few and far between after her parent’s death.  Grandfather Jim died after a courageous battle with cancer.

It was his wishes that she live on the ranch and continuing running it the way he death. This would require the help of all the people employed and her foreman.   Her last thoughts were before she drifted off to sleep,  I must meet with Jackson early in the morning.

Early, the next morning Holley was awakened by a loud knocking on the kitchen door. The sun came rushing in as she opened the door.  In front of her was the most handsome man she had ever seen.  Her heart skipped a few beats; she felt a little faint, catching hold of the door to keep from falling.  He reaches out his hand, and said “I’ m Jackson the foreman. I believe we have a meeting this morning.”  Holley opened the door and motioned Jackson to sit, while she prepared coffee.

Holley let Jackson know up front that she didn’t know a thing about running a ranch and would need his help.   He seemed knowledgeable after all he has been working for her grandfather since he graduated from college.  Jackson was the neighbor’s son who lived on the neighboring farm; they were friends when she was a young girl.  He had grown into a handsome young man.

She felt relaxed and comfortable with Jackson.   The weeks came and went Holly found herself getting more attached to the ranch as well as to Jackson.

They would take long walks and horseback rides in the cool afternoons.  Today is Christmas Eve and they were going for a sleigh ride.  Maybe Jackson would ask her to marry him tonight.

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